UPDATE: Church destroyed in evening fire

Published: Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 01:36 PM.

CRESTVIEW — Officials with the State Fire Marshal's Office are investigating a Wednesday night fire that destroyed a church on Eighth Avenue.

Crews were called at 7:05 p.m. to Full Gospel Tabernacle Church after reports of smoke coming from the south and west sides of the building were called in. Once crews arrived, a fire broke out putting crews on the defensive against the fire.

"They made entry, but the fire got stronger," said Crestview Fire Battalion Chief Jon Riedel. "Crews have been there all night."

Fire departments from North Okaloosa, Holt, Eglin, Dorcas and Baker assisted with keeping the fire contained to the one building. Riedel said no other structures were threatened.

Crews were fighting the flames until 1 a.m. Thursday and a new shift went to the scene at 7 a.m. to check for any hot spots or hazardous areas.

The building was completely destroyed causing an estimated $400,000 in damages. No one was injured.

Rev. E. H. Haddock, chairman of the Living Word of Faith Fellowship who oversees Full Gospel Tabernacle, said church officials are not certain what their next steps will be, but the congregation of around 50 have a place to worship Sunday morning.

"They're working with another church so they will have somewhere to be," Haddock said.

The reverend said he was shocked when he heard the church that had been open for 32 years was gone.

"I just couldn't hardly believe it," he said. "Right now, I don't know if we're going to rebuild or not. I can say that it’s a loss to the congregation."

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CRESTVIEW — Officials with the State Fire Marshal's Office are investigating a Wednesday night fire that destroyed a church on Eighth Avenue.

Crews were called at 7:05 p.m. to Full Gospel Tabernacle Church after reports of smoke coming from the south and west sides of the building were called in. Once crews arrived, a fire broke out putting crews on the defensive against the fire.

"They made entry, but the fire got stronger," said Crestview Fire Battalion Chief Jon Riedel. "Crews have been there all night."

Fire departments from North Okaloosa, Holt, Eglin, Dorcas and Baker assisted with keeping the fire contained to the one building. Riedel said no other structures were threatened.

Crews were fighting the flames until 1 a.m. Thursday and a new shift went to the scene at 7 a.m. to check for any hot spots or hazardous areas.

The building was completely destroyed causing an estimated $400,000 in damages. No one was injured.

Rev. E. H. Haddock, chairman of the Living Word of Faith Fellowship who oversees Full Gospel Tabernacle, said church officials are not certain what their next steps will be, but the congregation of around 50 have a place to worship Sunday morning.

"They're working with another church so they will have somewhere to be," Haddock said.

The reverend said he was shocked when he heard the church that had been open for 32 years was gone.

"I just couldn't hardly believe it," he said. "Right now, I don't know if we're going to rebuild or not. I can say that it’s a loss to the congregation."

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